My Mute Bride

Not long after Victor left, Rachel heard the doorbell ring.

Originally thinking he left something behind, she opened the door, only to see a courier.

“Ms. Rachel Hudson?”

Upon hearing that, Rachel nodded.

“There are two intracity express parcels for you. Please sign here.”

Startled, she signed for the parcels, thereafter receiving a cake and a paper bag.

Right now on the table, there was still half an uneaten cake that Victor had rushed out to buy at noon upon finding out it was her birthday.

So, who bought the cake that the courier delivered?

Setting it aside on the table for now, she pulled a rectangular suede box out of the paper bag.

With a click, she opened it and discovered a silver-colored necklace in the box that glimmered underneath the light

The pendant was in the simple design of a small sun with a hollow center.

Putting down the box, she found a card on top of the cake box that simply read ‘Happy Birthday’ without any signature.

Dumbfounded, she stared at the items until her phone started vibrating.

It was a text message from Julian reading, ‘Did you receive what I sent?’

Immediately, she understood. ‘I did. I was wondering who would remember my birthday.’

‘Don’t forget that you’re a patient of mine. It’s not strange that I would remember your birthday.’

‘Thank you.

‘You’re welcome. Are you free? I just finished work; come down for a walk with me!

Looking at the time, she agreed, ‘Okay.’

At this hour after dinner, the community was lively. All of the houses were lit up, and the sound of children laughing could be heard around the neighborhood as they ran around playing.

stone table and opened it. Before she could even offer some to anyone,

cake is so pretty,

with her hand, she lifted a knife and a paper plate,

some candles out of a box to the side. “Today is Miss Rachel’s birthday. Before she treats you all to some cake,

head of the group, which happened to be a little girl in

must sing the ‘Happy Birthday’

close her

blow

to Julian that there

unison. The delicate chorus of

“Make a wish.”

There’s no need.

wish on your birthday, Miss Rachel. My mommy says you have to say it in your heart and not out loud, or the wish won’t come true,” a very young

head to look, she found a little girl who wasn’t even

wish. After that, she blew out the candles and began to give the

to say thank you!”

the children raced off, dabbing icing on each other’s faces. Just like that, the strangers in the community suddenly seemed

light of the streetlamp, Rachel finally smiled for the first time in days.

to her apartment building, Julian continued, “The most important thing right now is to take care of your

it, anyway, so I might as well pretend it never existed for now. At that point, Rachel’s expression was dull

regretting bringing up the child, he changed the topic and told her, “Go on upstairs, then. It’s been getting colder lately, so make

turned and headed toward

was inside her apartment

a loud slam, the door was propped open

up, Rachel saw Justin glowering at her, his darkened face made all the more grotesque by the centipede-like scar on

out on business? she

explaining himself, he slid sideways into the house and shut the door before

been getting along fine without

she took two steps back. Why are

he stalked toward her as he pulled off his necktie and threw it onto the

you

by step he approached her, forcing her back inch

no idea

staggered after him and was